Synopsis: Patikul tells the story of Kan-Ague Elementary School in Patikul, Sulu. Two of Kan-Ague’s best students are chosen to compete in the region’s quiz bee. Determined to grab the top prize, the students prepare for the quiz bee with the help of the school’s supportive principal (Marvin Agustin) and teachers. However, the students get caught in the middle of the hostilities between the government and the terrorists. (From Oggs Cruz’s review)

“Patikul was born out of that very noble intention of educating the public on the deficiencies of the policy on education in the Philippines. Unfortunately, the film is as effective as a lousy kindergarten teacher teaching calculus to a room full of monkeys.” (Read full review)

2.0 Isabelle Sarah (The Toss Coin Paradox)

“The movie has such a weak script. The lines were too dramatic and mainstream. Even the acting was so ‘scripted’.” (Read full review)

1.5 Philbert Dy (Click the City)

“It feels like it was made for TV, with broad performances and affected drama that don’t quite do justice to the gravity of the story.” (Read full review)

1.5 Carl Papa (Whatever, Carl)

“The acting was wooden and the line deliveries were so… Batibot. I also did not like how fake the dialogues were, also the actions of the people. I do not get this simultaneous people head nodding, do people actually do that?” (Read full review)

Capsules:

1.0 Skilty Labastilla (Young Critics Circle Film Desk)

“It’s surprising that the script won a Palanca award. But then again, the chairperson of the three judges the year it won was Joel Lamangan, and the story undoubtedly fits his politics. Subtlety has never been one of Lamangan’s virtues, but here, it’s as if he was envisioning that only 7-year olds will be watching his movie: everything is spelled out, leaving no room for the imagination. Halfway through the movie, I felt like walking out, but I stuck through it hoping things will get better. It got even worse.”